ML presents Breastfest 2006

Annual event celebrates World Breastfeeding Week with vendors, guest speakers, raffles

MOSES LAKE — People at the state level are talking about Moses Lake.

No, it's not the lake or nice weather they're buzzing about.

It's the city's Healthy Communities Project, one component of which is the Breastfeeding Coalition.

On Aug. 1, the annual Breastfest 2006 will take place in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week and local support for breastfeeding services.

Kimberly Radtke, coordinator of the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, is one of the guest speakers at this year's event.

Radtke intends to focus her presentation on "celebrating Moses Lake's accomplishment and the fabulous work this community has done," she said.

Grant funding at the state level and support from the city of Moses Lake for Healthy Communities has enabled a strong Healthy Communities project to evolve since it began in 2002. The purpose of the project is to encourage physical activity and nutrition.

The Community Paths and Trails and Community Garden make up the other two components of the program.

Funding dollars mean a paid position versus a volunteer is working under the Coalition and the grant specifies that work is being done to change policy, Radtke said.

The one-day event begins at 10 a.m. in Civic Center Park and is sponsored by Moses Lake Community Health, Women, Infant and Children and the Moses Lake Breastfeeding Coalition.

More than 20 vendors with information on breastfeeding services will be on hand.

At 10:30 a public walk kicks off followed at 12:15 by guest speakers, live entertainment and raffles.

With this year's event organizers have tried to do more community outreach in outlying communities from Ritzville to Soap Lake and Warden, informing people of the celebration.

And moms are not the only ones encouraged to come.

"Anyone in the community that wants to know more about breastfeeding," said Coalition member Danette Preston.

Since Breastfest 2005 a Community Breastfeeding Center has opened, providing rooms for moms to come and breastfeed their babies.

Certified lactation consultants are on hand at the Center to answer questions and address concerns families have about breastfeeding.

"Now we can give them that peer support (but say) really what you need to do is go see a professional lactation consultant," said Adrienne Strickland, owner of Baby, Naturally! and Coalition member.

One goal Strickland has is to continue working with Samaritan Hospital's new nursing director to strengthen breast feeding support for moms at the hospital.

"She's excited to hear how we can better help them support the breastfeeding moms who come there," Strickland said.